Outcomes of Enhanced Recovery Protocol versus Traditional Methods after Gastrointestinal Surgical Operations

Abstract Background: Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) program is a new set of protocols that is applied to the patient in the peri-operative period to fasten the recovery and decrease the convalescence and thus improving the surgical outcome. It is also named as fast track surgery. Aim of Study: The aim of fast tracking is to attenuate stress response to surgical trauma in order to: Reduce mor-bidity, hospital stay, and costs. Enhance early and safe recovery of the patient after a surgical procedure and to allow patients to resume their normal daily activities as quick as possible. Patients and Methods: In our study we had 50 patients underwent various gastrointestinal surgical operations. The ERAS protocol was implemented on group A with multiple pre, intra and post-operative elements, while group B was managed traditionally. Both groups were closely observed and evaluated during the post-operative period and one month after discharge. Results: There were 6 cases that needed readmission during the first month postoperative , 2 cases in group A (8%) and only 4 cases in group B (16%), but this difference is insignificant. there was no obvious and significant earlier unaided mobilization in group A than group B. There was a clear difference between both groups in length of hospital stay. Patients receiving ERAS protocol stayed definitely shorter period post-operatively. There also was noticed a clear and obvious satisfaction between patients of ERAS group in the form of early mobilization, return to normal activities and pain free. Conclusion: Fast track rehabilitation program plays an important role in the recovery of patients after gastrointestinal operations, which can accelerate the restoration of their gastrointestinal function, decrease their post-operative com-plications, and shorten their hospital stay time.